A Message From the Principal:
The year is flying by! Only 2 more months until summer. If you have not done so already, please, update the office with your summer plans. Transitions will be taking place the week of June 8th, and we want to make sure that all appropriate transitions occur. Let us know if you plan on taking vacations for the summer, or if you will be here throughout so that we can get our summer staffing set!
Earth day is coming up on Wednesday, April 22nd. We will be having a Ladybug Release. Our Wacky Wednesday theme for the day will be Ladybugs. We will be having a Ladybug Parade at 10:00 am in center court before we head outdoors to release our ladybugs!! There will be many activities going on throughout the week related to Earth Day and recycling as well. Please, look out for all of the announcements of this weeks activities.
We will be open on Friday, April 3rd. Although, there will be NO VPK all other classes will resume as normally scheduled. We will have School Age Camp on Friday, April 3rd. Sign up now to reserve your space.
Calling all Future VPK students
It is time for the parents of our future VPK students to start the process to receive their child’s VPK voucher from the state office. Application for VPK vouchers for 2015-2016 began in January. Please check http://www.familycentral.org/VPKRegisterBC for how to obtain your child’s VPK voucher for the 2015-2016 school year. VPK spaces are filling up fast so make sure that you reserve your space!
Graduation
Graduation preparations are in full swing! If you have not already done so, graduation payments of $30 should be made to the front office. Once again as a reminder, our graduation ceremony will be on June 6that 2:00pm. Extra tickets will be on sale for the price of $5 each. Our second annual VPK prom will be taking place on May 16th. See your VPK teachers for details!
Original Works Program
We are pleased to announce that we will be running the Original Works Program. In business since 1989, Original Works is the #1 art based fundraising company in the country, and currently works with thousands of schools and hundreds of thousands of students each year. Through the Original Works program, each child will have the opportunity to have their very own artwork reproduced onto a variety of high quality products. The products range from magnets, mugs and mouse pads, to ceramic tiles, t-shirts, note cards and nearly two dozen other products.
Each child is eligible to participate in this wonderful program. Once the artwork is created, parents and children will have the opportunity to select which product or products they would like to feature their artwork. The program is designed to encourage creativity and student self-esteem. The resulting products make unique gifts that are practical for any season or occasion. Complete details on the program will be sent home shortly. For more information on Original Works please visit their website at www.originalworks.com.
Scholastic Book Fair
Our Scholastic Book Fair runs through April 3rd. Stop by center court and purchase some books! Any books that you purchase helps us earn points to purchase books for the classrooms. Payment can be accepted by cash (exact change), check, or credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express are all accepted).
Parent Communication
We want to keep our parents involved and one way to do that is making sure to read the information posted on your child’s classroom’s parent board as well as checking their folder for papers to go home each day. The “ What We Learned Today” paper located on the classroom doors will also share a special activity from the class’s day. I encourage you to ask your child questions about that activity. This is a great way to get them to share their day with you. Also, always feel free to talk to the teachers at drop off/pick up or call and check in throughout the day.
Kindergarten Kick Off
What to do after VPK has ended and Kindergarten has not started yet??? Here at Chesterbrook Academy we have our Kindergarten Kickoff Program. There are two options for this program. We have our full time option for $175 per week or our 9:00am-1:00pm option for $145 per week. This program continues on the learning throughout the summer in order to help give them that extra advantage when they start kindergarten. You can sign up for one week or 11 weeks. Please see the front office to sign up!
Summer Camp
Elementary Summer Camp spaces are very limited!!! Sign-up now for our fun-filled summer camp. There are only a few spaces left! We have our summer filled with great field trips, swimming, and fun in house activities. Only $175 per week and you can choose the weeks you wish to attend. See the front office to sign up!
Menus
Menus are located in the front office. Please feel free to see us up front with any questions that you have about the menu or ordering. All menus are due by the due date. If you do not turn your menu in on time, you will need to pack lunch for your child.
Uniforms
As a reminder: All students in our intermediate and Pre-k programs are required to wear uniforms. The uniform consists of a Black Polo with the Chesterbrook Logo and Khaki bottoms. If you have already purchased the navy blue CBA polos for the fall we will allow the children to continue to wear navy blue for the school year, but as you buy new uniforms, please purchase the black ones. Please see the front desk to order uniforms.
Our school VPK hours are 9AM-12 Noon. As a part of the VPK program, the state requires that all VPK students are at school during VPK hours. For more information, please see the front desk.
Reminders
Here are a few reminders and updates to keep us on track for the rest of the school year:
- Contact and Emergency Information: Please remember to update your information at the front desk if there are any changes.
- Lunch Menus: are due on the due date, so that we can order from the catering company. If we don’t have your child’s lunch menu, we can’t order a lunch. Please pack a lunch for your child if you haven’t filled out a lunch menu.
- Tuition: payments are due the 1st of each week. A $25 late fee will be applied to all tuition payments turned in after Monday of each week.
- Late pick-up: fees apply to children picked up after 6:15 pm. There is a fee of $1 per minute after 6:15 pm as stated on your tuition fee schedule agreement.
- Sick Policy: Children may be sent home if they have any concerning symptoms. In addition, a child must be free of all of these symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can return to school. These symptoms include:
- A Fever of 100 degrees or more
- Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period
- Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period
- Symptoms of a communicable disease
- Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/ herself
Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that illness is not contagious. ( A doctor’s clearance may be requested.) Please help us keep all of our children healthy by following these rules.
If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. You can talk with your child’s teacher or any one of us in the front office. Also, you can email me at melody.mcdonald@nlcinc.com or call (954) 749-1333. As always my door is always open, please feel free to stop by, email me or call with any questions, concerns or comments. Our goal is to provide each family with a fulfilling educational experience.
- Parent Ambassador Referral Program: Spread the word about Chesterbrook Academy and save on your child’s tuition. Stop by the front Office for more details. Chesterbrook Academy has six locations in South Florida: Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Sunrise, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie and Palm Beach Gardens.
- Our Mission: Chesterbrook Academy- Sunrise provides a safe and warm family environment in a rich academic setting that focuses on fun and creative hands-on learning for each individual student. Our school promotes self-expression, yet maintains a structured program for a great head start in “life”.
To ensure that each child receives the best care possible, it is critical that parents and teachers maintain frequent and accurate communication. Please feel free to call or stop by at any time to see how your child is doing. We always have an open door policy.
A Message From the Education Department:
Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature
Spring is here and Earth Day is right around the corner, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect children with nature and reinforce the importance of preserving and protecting the world around us.
Our Links to Learning curriculum uses hands-on activities to cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and foster academic, physical and social skill development.
Below are activities we implement in our classrooms to get children excited about nature, as well as activities and books to read with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
- In the classroom: Our teachers provide natural objects, such as leaves, pinecones and flowers for the children to see and touch. We help children associate words with the concrete objects they represent.
- At-home activity: Allow your child to experience different textured fruits, such as an orange, watermelon and cantaloupe. Talk about what he sees, smells, tastes and feels.
- Recommended reading: Colors from Nature from PlayBac Publishing and The Earth Book by Todd Parr
BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):
- In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to understand interdependencies in nature. For instance, they learn that ladybugs feed on insects that are harmful to gardens, trees and shrubs. On Earth Day, many of our students have the opportunity to release ladybugs to help local gardens.
- At-home activity: Take a walk outdoors with your child and play a game of “I Spy.” Ask him point out objects found in the springtime, for example a red flower, a blue bird or a colorful butterfly.
- Recommended reading: Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Satin Capucilli & David T. Wenzel and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):
- In the classroom: As our Intermediates gain a greater understanding and appreciation for how living things grow, the class may adopt a pet such as a fish or bunny. Students develop math, science and language skills by measuring the pet’s food, observing the pet’s behavior and habitat, and learning new vocabulary. Research shows that when children have the opportunity to care for animals, they practice nurturing behaviors that help them interact in gentle ways with people also.
- At-home activity: Create a small garden and allow your child to help you plant and water seeds, either outdoors or indoors. Ask him to predict what the plant will look like by drawing pictures in his journal. Check the plant regularly so he can observe and measure changes in growth. Discuss the importance of watering and caring for the plant.
- Recommended reading: Our Earth by Anne Rockwell and the poem “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out!” by Shel Silverstein
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):
- In the classroom: Teachers encourage our older preschoolers to reuse recyclable materials in fun and unconventional ways. For instance, our students use cardboard boxes to create a castle, milk jug lids to sort and match, and plastic bottles to create beautiful, unique artwork.
- At-home activity: Set up a recycling station using cardboard boxes, and label each box with the words “metal”, “plastic” and “paper”. Throughout the month, ask your child to help sort your family’s recyclables by placing the items into the correct box. Explain that recycling is just one way that we can be kind to the earth. Ask him to name a few other ways, such as conserving electricity, picking up litter and planting a garden.
- Recommended reading: A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry and The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
We create a path for lifelong learning by providing numerous opportunities for children to study and explore nature. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as students transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education
April News
A Message From the Principal:
The year is flying by! Only 2 more months until summer. If you have not done so already, please, update the office with your summer plans. Transitions will be taking place the week of June 8th, and we want to make sure that all appropriate transitions occur. Let us know if you plan on taking vacations for the summer, or if you will be here throughout so that we can get our summer staffing set!
Earth day is coming up on Wednesday, April 22nd. We will be having a Ladybug Release. Our Wacky Wednesday theme for the day will be Ladybugs. We will be having a Ladybug Parade at 10:00 am in center court before we head outdoors to release our ladybugs!! There will be many activities going on throughout the week related to Earth Day and recycling as well. Please, look out for all of the announcements of this weeks activities.
We will be open on Friday, April 3rd. Although, there will be NO VPK all other classes will resume as normally scheduled. We will have School Age Camp on Friday, April 3rd. Sign up now to reserve your space.
Calling all Future VPK students
It is time for the parents of our future VPK students to start the process to receive their child’s VPK voucher from the state office. Application for VPK vouchers for 2015-2016 began in January. Please check http://www.familycentral.org/VPKRegisterBC for how to obtain your child’s VPK voucher for the 2015-2016 school year. VPK spaces are filling up fast so make sure that you reserve your space!
Graduation
Graduation preparations are in full swing! If you have not already done so, graduation payments of $30 should be made to the front office. Once again as a reminder, our graduation ceremony will be on June 6that 2:00pm. Extra tickets will be on sale for the price of $5 each. Our second annual VPK prom will be taking place on May 16th. See your VPK teachers for details!
Original Works Program
We are pleased to announce that we will be running the Original Works Program. In business since 1989, Original Works is the #1 art based fundraising company in the country, and currently works with thousands of schools and hundreds of thousands of students each year. Through the Original Works program, each child will have the opportunity to have their very own artwork reproduced onto a variety of high quality products. The products range from magnets, mugs and mouse pads, to ceramic tiles, t-shirts, note cards and nearly two dozen other products.
Each child is eligible to participate in this wonderful program. Once the artwork is created, parents and children will have the opportunity to select which product or products they would like to feature their artwork. The program is designed to encourage creativity and student self-esteem. The resulting products make unique gifts that are practical for any season or occasion. Complete details on the program will be sent home shortly. For more information on Original Works please visit their website at www.originalworks.com.
Scholastic Book Fair
Our Scholastic Book Fair runs through April 3rd. Stop by center court and purchase some books! Any books that you purchase helps us earn points to purchase books for the classrooms. Payment can be accepted by cash (exact change), check, or credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express are all accepted).
Parent Communication
We want to keep our parents involved and one way to do that is making sure to read the information posted on your child’s classroom’s parent board as well as checking their folder for papers to go home each day. The “ What We Learned Today” paper located on the classroom doors will also share a special activity from the class’s day. I encourage you to ask your child questions about that activity. This is a great way to get them to share their day with you. Also, always feel free to talk to the teachers at drop off/pick up or call and check in throughout the day.
Kindergarten Kick Off
What to do after VPK has ended and Kindergarten has not started yet??? Here at Chesterbrook Academy we have our Kindergarten Kickoff Program. There are two options for this program. We have our full time option for $175 per week or our 9:00am-1:00pm option for $145 per week. This program continues on the learning throughout the summer in order to help give them that extra advantage when they start kindergarten. You can sign up for one week or 11 weeks. Please see the front office to sign up!
Summer Camp
Elementary Summer Camp spaces are very limited!!! Sign-up now for our fun-filled summer camp. There are only a few spaces left! We have our summer filled with great field trips, swimming, and fun in house activities. Only $175 per week and you can choose the weeks you wish to attend. See the front office to sign up!
Menus
Menus are located in the front office. Please feel free to see us up front with any questions that you have about the menu or ordering. All menus are due by the due date. If you do not turn your menu in on time, you will need to pack lunch for your child.
Uniforms
As a reminder: All students in our intermediate and Pre-k programs are required to wear uniforms. The uniform consists of a Black Polo with the Chesterbrook Logo and Khaki bottoms. If you have already purchased the navy blue CBA polos for the fall we will allow the children to continue to wear navy blue for the school year, but as you buy new uniforms, please purchase the black ones. Please see the front desk to order uniforms.
Our school VPK hours are 9AM-12 Noon. As a part of the VPK program, the state requires that all VPK students are at school during VPK hours. For more information, please see the front desk.
Reminders
Here are a few reminders and updates to keep us on track for the rest of the school year:
Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that illness is not contagious. ( A doctor’s clearance may be requested.) Please help us keep all of our children healthy by following these rules.
If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. You can talk with your child’s teacher or any one of us in the front office. Also, you can email me at melody.mcdonald@nlcinc.com or call (954) 749-1333. As always my door is always open, please feel free to stop by, email me or call with any questions, concerns or comments. Our goal is to provide each family with a fulfilling educational experience.
To ensure that each child receives the best care possible, it is critical that parents and teachers maintain frequent and accurate communication. Please feel free to call or stop by at any time to see how your child is doing. We always have an open door policy.
A Message From the Education Department:
Appreciating the Wonders of Mother Nature
Spring is here and Earth Day is right around the corner, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect children with nature and reinforce the importance of preserving and protecting the world around us.
Our Links to Learning curriculum uses hands-on activities to cultivate a deeper connection to the earth and foster academic, physical and social skill development.
Below are activities we implement in our classrooms to get children excited about nature, as well as activities and books to read with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
BEGINNERS (Ages 2-3):
INTERMEDIATES (Ages 3-4):
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (Ages 4-5):
We create a path for lifelong learning by providing numerous opportunities for children to study and explore nature. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as students transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD- Director of Early Childhood Education